Request from police: Got video recorded within a square mile around Gatewood Elementary?

So far, there is no evidence of an actual abduction related to the reported sighting near Gatewood Elementary today (here’s our earlier coverage; [added] here’s an SPD Blotter update) BUT police have a request for you tonight, in hopes it will help them figure out what DID happen, if anything:

Southwest Precinct Sgt. Joe Bauer, asks that, if your home or business is within a square mile or so of the school (which fronts on both Myrtle and Frontenac just west of California; map) and you have a video-camera system – or happened to be rolling video in the area for any other reason – please check it, particularly for the time period between about 12:30 pm and 1 pm today. If you see anything at all that might be of interest to police related to this investigation, please e-mail Sgt. Bauer at joseph.bauer@seattle.gov.

13 Replies to "Request from police: Got video recorded within a square mile around Gatewood Elementary?"

Some food for though as I was thinking, why haven’t we heard of a missing child by now. Perhaps this guy harmed the mom or grandma or caregiver of this child and wasn’t able to report it as this person might be very hurt or even killed. It’s happened before. It just seems to me that this 6 yr. old is very credible of what they saw and if she did see this and something comes of it, she is a total hero.

I agree, the child who witnessed something and said something is to be commended, however this turns out. The West Seattle community is tight-knit and we look out for each other. Anyone who attempts to hurt our children needs to know this, and know they will not get away with it.

Maybe don’t share scary news with young children. Rumors sweep through elementary schools like a game of telephone and imaginations run wild. We live in a safe time and place, and the more we say this, the more true it is for the children. Of course, teach caution.

A- While it seems like the 6 year old girl may have seen something else. It’s a scary situation with all of the “flashers” and “predators” around. Maybe you should check out the 11 o’clock news and see if they’re on the top stories as well. As a parent, it’s terrifying.

Kudos to SPD Responders, SPS, and this wonderful community. My thoughts go to the family of the brave 6 year old, who did the right thing, regardless. Know they’ve had a very difficult day. Thank you and wish you well.

hey alki- heads up, this absolutely should be top priority and I’m glad the police had the response they did. I’m not questioning that. What I’m questioning is the overly paranoid responses by people on here who jump to conclusions and start saying “what has happened to our quant little community” and such without even knowing if an actual abduction took place.

@ “A” Paranoid NO when a sex offender is living in alley ways and sexually assaulting 16 year olds and we have creeps who play with themselves in front of children, gangs kicking in front doors with hatchets, knives and guns yes I would call that several reason’s to be concerned! So stop being an “A”!

Or the possibility that it was a parent disciplining a child with duct tape. Thinking of the girl that was locked in a room in Carnation and only given a Dixie cup of water daily, or the girl that was duct taped and left outside and died of exposure. By the parents. To teach them a lesson. I’m thinking child abuse, not abduction.